Today I came back to my favorite Starbucks at Nanzoft. Whenever I felt troubled or needed to recharge, I would come here, order a coffee, sit for an afternoon, sometimes reading, sometimes working on reports, and my mood would be restored, ready to face future challenges.
What's the magic?
I'm not really sure, but when you step into the store, the tall floor design, industrial style decor, the staff's energetic greetings, the cashier's careful attention as you decide which coffee to order—all of it makes you feel extremely relaxed. Add to that the clean and organized tables and chairs, even the straws all lined up perfectly "facing upward," and you naturally become curious about how these details are maintained.
Today I found the answer.
"Hello, welcome"
"Mother's Day cakes available for pre-order"
"Thank you, see you soon"
Wearing a black uniform, walking back and forth through the shop checking the space, adjusting tables and chairs, then taking out a broom to clean them one by one—he is Mark, who has been working at the Starbucks Nanzoft location for seven years, speaking with remarkable energy.
I noticed him because, as I sat in my seat observing office workers coming to consume, wondering what kind of lives they lead and what topics they discuss, his figure kept moving in front of me, sparking my curiosity.
Mark walks and speaks somewhat slowly, seriously holding a blue cloth, wiping the table surface with effort, pushing chairs close to the tables—this is something he does as a routine every time a customer gets up.
Then he goes to the back, washing the cloth thoroughly, moving to the storage room, taking out a broom, going to the outdoor smoking area, sweeping away cigarette butts and trash, then switching to a white cloth, standing on tiptoes to wipe the front door, squatting down to wipe the high stools, paying careful attention to every single cleaning detail.
Next, he walks over to the straw area, placing all the straws on a tray, taking the metal container holding the straws to the back to wash it, then picking them up one by one, making sure they're all facing the same direction, then slowly placing them back into the container, neatly filled, not a single one sticking out above the surface—both meticulous and warm.
Just as I'm taking photos of these small gestures, feeling moved in my heart, realizing I can't be as dedicated to my work as Mark, suddenly an employee rushes out, walking toward the woman in a suit sitting next to me. I was just thinking, "Of course someone like me noticed this diligent employee," when I see the staff member looking apologetic, repeatedly explaining, "He's a rather special colleague. Our company works with related organizations... he mainly handles some tasks on the floor..."
The woman customer interrupts the conversation: "But he keeps walking back and forth like this..."
The staff member: "Yes, yes, we understand some customers want to come rest a bit. We'll remind him again, and we appreciate your understanding."
So all of this was a beautiful misunderstanding on my part. I never imagined this woman wouldn't see Mark's dedication—she only saw him walking back and forth, disturbing her phone-scrolling time. I felt so bad for Mark that I could only frown. An employee in the back saw me and gave me a smile, but Mark's figure quietly disappeared.
After an hour or two, the original customers in the store had cycled through several times, and only I remained sitting here. "Would you like some warm water, or...?" I looked up—it was Mark! After pulling out my earbuds and having a simple conversation, he poured me a glass of water, which made me a bit nervous. "I hope he doesn't think I was the one who complained!"
"If you want more water, just let me know," he said, setting down the cup and giving a shy smile. I smiled back and said, "Thank you for your hard work." So this is why every time I come here, I can ease my troubles.
Starbucks thoughtfully provided Mark with a warm environment and a place where he could express his genuine nature. Every employee at the Nanzoft location is wonderful too. Everyone is born equal; living seriously and doing what you can do well, radiating positive energy, is already enough to warm others. Such a life is already beautiful enough. I hope that when you have time to visit the Nanzoft location, you can give Mark some encouragement too. And I hope customers like that woman become fewer and fewer. Take time to appreciate others' efforts, and I believe society will become better and better too.
